Orbi Firmware update 2.5.0.38 problems

wchp
Luminary
Nov 08, 2019
Without getting into all the things to try I am just posting this an observed performance change.
On a 2018 Macbook Pro on Firmware V 2.5.0.38 I am experiencing ½ to ¼(or less) the 802.11AC throughput vs. the previous version of firmware.
460-585 mps on 2.3.5.30 from Mac OS wifi details and 520/41.2 from Speedtest app
40-180 mbps on 2.5.0.38from Mac OS wifi details and 86/23.9 from Speedtest app
Observed using WiFi details AND WiFi explorer.
Both observations on WiFi Explorer show Chan 48, 90% signal strength, SNR 54dB readings with both versions of firmware.
Laptop and Router locations unchanged.
Tried everything except factory reset/paper clip simply because I dont want to and dont feel I should need to with a public firmware release (with beta firmware versions this is a given that a factory reset is done)
Of note (if it makes any difference) I am running the Armor protection on the RBR (for both tests).
Have reverted back to 2.3.5.30 and will wait for next rev of FW.
- FURRYe38
  Guru - Experienced User
  Nov 08, 2019
  I saw no speed issues or slower operation with v38 loaded. Though I and others do factory resets. v38 works.
  Something to at least try as maybe the next FW update will not fix your experiences. Reset maybe needed. Works for others.
  https://community.netgear.com/t5/Orbi/ORBI-RBK50-RBS50-Tips-Tricks-Hidden-Secrets-etc/m-p/1820500/highlight/true#M74929
  https://community.netgear.com/t5/Orbi/ORBI-RBK50-RBS50-Tips-Tricks-Hidden-Secrets-etc/m-p/1820477/highlight/true#M74918
  https://community.netgear.com/t5/Orbi/Speeds-have-plummeted-after-latest-update/m-p/1819282/highlight/true#M74655
  wchp wrote:
  Without getting into all the things to try I am just posting this an observed performance change.
  On a 2018 Macbook Pro on Firmware V 2.5.0.38 I am experiencing ½ to ¼(or less) the 802.11AC throughput vs. the previous version of firmware.
  460-585 mps on 2.3.5.30 from Mac OS wifi details and 520/41.2 from Speedtest app
  40-180 mbps on 2.5.0.38from Mac OS wifi details and 86/23.9 from Speedtest app
  Observed using WiFi details AND WiFi explorer.
  Both observations on WiFi Explorer show Chan 48, 90% signal strength, SNR 54dB readings with both versions of firmware.
  Laptop and Router locations unchanged.
  Tried everything except factory reset/paper clip simply because I dont want to and dont feel I should need to with a public firmware release (with beta firmware versions this is a given that a factory reset is done)
  Of note (if it makes any difference) I am running the Armor protection on the RBR (for both tests).
  Have reverted back to 2.3.5.30 and will wait for next rev of FW.
- Igott
  Star
  Dec 07, 2019
  I'm having the same type of issue since this update, no changes in placement of my main orbi unit and 2 satellite units. On wirelss video conferencing and wifi calling are absolutely horrible. I've tried rebooting my routers resyncing the satellite and not improvement. Anything that is wired works perfect was my whole home is streaming apple TV HD and 4K streams without an issue. Please help any ideas on how to resolve as the wirelss issues are impacting my ability to work from home.
  - FURRYe38
    Guru - Experienced User
    Dec 08, 2019
    Has a factory reset and setup from scratch been performed since last update?
    Igott wrote:
    I'm having the same type of issue since this update, no changes in placement of my main orbi unit and 2 satellite units. On wirelss video conferencing and wifi calling are absolutely horrible. I've tried rebooting my routers resyncing the satellite and not improvement. Anything that is wired works perfect was my whole home is streaming apple TV HD and 4K streams without an issue. Please help any ideas on how to resolve as the wirelss issues are impacting my ability to work from home.
RonRolfsen
Guide
Nov 11, 2019
Over the weekend reset the router (but not the satellites) - rebooted and now it seems to be working. What was very odd was that the reset did not wipe out the settngs (password, static IP addresses) - so it seems as if it did not do a complete reset from scratch (not complaining but not what was expected, and yes, I did the reset correctly). In any case it has now been up for 24 hrs and recognizes all the devices and satellites and no issues with the web GUI. Thanks for the help and comments.
- FURRYe38
  Guru - Experienced User
  Nov 11, 2019
  From where did you reset the RBR? From the RBR web page or use of the back button. Press of the back button for 15 seconds should erase and wipe out all configurations. Did the setup wizard not appear for you after the reset? This should be the first thing seen if you setup with a PC and web browser.
  RonRolfsen wrote:
  Over the weekend reset the router (but not the satellites) - rebooted and now it seems to be working. What was very odd was that the reset did not wipe out the settngs (password, static IP addresses) - so it seems as if it did not do a complete reset from scratch (not complaining but not what was expected, and yes, I did the reset correctly). In any case it has now been up for 24 hrs and recognizes all the devices and satellites and no issues with the web GUI. Thanks for the help and comments.
  - RonRolfsen
    Guide
    Nov 11, 2019
    Reset on the router via paperclip for >10 seconds. Did not get the setup wizard. Attached via the web GUI via PC to the router and when the login did not accept the defaut admin/password - tried my existing one which then connected. (as I said it was weird - I know should not have been this way - I was not smoking or drinking :-) Rebooted the router and then things appeared to be corrected. So I don't know if there is some partial reset but when I inserted the paper clip and counted, the lights changed to the flashing yellow/amber by the reset hole. Might not have been a full 15 seconds but definately greater than 7 seconds as indicated by the manual. Bottom line it is now back to normal.
- jtlynn23
  Tutor
  Nov 25, 2019
  
  Both the 2.5.0.38 and 2.5.0.40 firmware updates have been disasters on my RBR50 and RBS50.
  
  The problems with wireless performance and the Device List began with .38 and continue with .40.
  
  WiFi performance has been dismal: for some reason the unit randomly ratchets back WiFi speeds to a max of 40-50 Mbit/sec every few days. When this happens, a hardwired speed test between the Orbi router and my cable modem consistently shows my full bandwidth of 700 Mbit/sec. Power-cycling the unit brings WiFi speed back to normal, but every couple days it inexplicably kicks back down again. Clearly, this firmware has messed with the WiFi services on the RBR50 and RBS50.
  
  The "Devices" list is messed up-- devices I got rid of 2 years ago have reappeared as "active," and I can't fix a single incorrect entry on the list-- I agree that this is an "annoyance" but it serves as a blatant sign of a company that lacks pride in its work and disrepects its customers. I have managed software development teams and the fact that this software was actually approved for release to customers is appalling.
  
  Netgear should be ashamed of themselves for releasing this on their customers.
  
  And before the fanboys tell me to do a factory reset-- a solution which has met with very mixed results in this forum-- I will say that I refuse to spend another minute of my energy trying to fix this vendor's lousy work.
  
  If a "factory reset" really is the answer, I will gladly start out from scratch again, and here's how I will do it:
  
  I just returned from Best Buy with a Linksys Velop Mesh System that I bought via a sweet Black Friday deal. I will be going through a new setup process, and it's going to be with a competing product.
  
  I have had this Orbi system for over two years and have had minimal trouble with it. And I've been a Netgear customer since the late 1990s in their Bay Networks days. This experience has destroyed my confidence in the Netgear brand.
  
  If anyone wants a used Orbi system with half-baked firmware on the cheap, let me know.
  - FURRYe38
    Guru - Experienced User
    Nov 25, 2019
    I was told today that NG pulled v30 and v40 from there Orbi update servers. So users shouldn't see this on there FW update page on the RBR. Yes there available via the download site.
    
    They confirmed that v34 is the standing latest version that they recommend upgrading to. You can upgrade to v34 which has the web page certificate fix or downgrade to v30 or last working version of FW. A factory reset is the last resort if users can't get there systems working normally. Those of us who do resets and manual upgrades, this seems to avoid issues seen by those of you who do see issues and choose not to do a reset. It's up to you. NG said it was coming out with a new FW udpate to fix the device naming issue found in v38. For those of you who can't get there systems working, with or with out a factory reset, revert back to something that works for you and wait for the next update to arrive. No date was given when the next FW upate will be released.
    
    Good Luck.

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Orbi Firmware update 2.5.0.38 problems